Swinney apology for ‘confusion’ around proposed policy changes

John Swinney has apologised for creating “confusion and uncertainty” around proposed changes to the controversial named person policy.

The Deputy First Minister told Holyrood’s Education Committee that he accepted he had made a “misjudgment” that had “proved not to be helpful”.

The committee has been examining a fresh Bill brought in after a legal challenge to the policy, which will see a single point of contact, such as a teacher or health visitor, appointed to look out for the welfare of every child.

The Children and Young People (Information Sharing) (Scotland) Bill aims to address the Supreme Court’s finding last year that information sharing provisions in the original legislation were incompatible with the right to privacy and family life as set out in the European Convention on Human Rights.

The new legislation requires Scottish Ministers to publish a code of practice for professionals on how information should be shared.

Mr Swinney, who is also Education Secretary, told the committee that his decision to provide them with a draft and illustrative code without the necessary consultation had backfired.

He said: “I thought it would be helpful to the committee to have the look of what a code of practice might be like. I accept that that has created some confusion and uncertainty amongst stakeholders.”

Setting out further steps to offer more “certainty and clarity”, Mr Swinney said an expert panel with an independent chair would be established to ensure the code is “workable, comprehensive and user-friendly”.